Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski is now just 30 goals away from Lionel Messi’s legendary Champions League goal tally, after scoring his 99th goal in the competition during a thrilling 5-2 win over Crvena Zvezda. While Messi’s total of 129 goals in Europe’s premier competition seems daunting, TNT Sports pundits Rory Smith and Karen Carney believe that Lewandowski’s quest to overtake the Argentine great is far from impossible.

Lewandowski’s remarkable goal-scoring run in the Champions League started in 2011 with Borussia Dortmund, and since then, he has scored consistently, netting in 65 out of 67 appearances. As Barcelona looks to extend its European campaign, Lewandowski is poised to reach his century of goals, likely before the end of this season.

TNT Sports pundit Rory Smith expressed optimism, saying, “It’s not impossible that he catches Messi. 30 more goals, two more years, 15 a season—it’s quite doable.” Smith also highlighted Lewandowski’s impressive longevity and his ability to keep performing at the highest level despite his age.

ALSO READ: Maksimovic Aims to Prove Hes Better Than Barcelonas Yamal in Champions League Showdown

With at least eight more games this season, Lewandowski has the opportunity to significantly narrow the gap. His next challenge comes when Barcelona faces Brest, followed by matches against his former club Dortmund, Benfica, and Atalanta. The current youthful energy of Barcelona, with dynamic players around him, could also work to Lewandowski’s advantage, according to Karen Carney, who added that “the young players do your running, which is always helpful.”

As Lewandowski’s pursuit of Messi’s Champions League record continues, football fans will be watching closely to see if the Polish striker can cement his place among Europe’s elite, joining Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 100-goal club.